Learn Hardcore Icelandic: Skýin eru yfir borginni.

Icelandic doesn’t have a standalone word for the. Instead, definiteness is shown by adding a suffix to the noun. In this case ský (cloud) becomes skýin (the clouds) by attaching the definite plural ending -in.

What does the suffix -in on skýin indicate?

The ending -in marks both definiteness and plurality for neuter nouns.
• Base form: ský = “cloud” (indefinite singular)
• Definite plural: skýin = “the clouds”
An extra i appears before -in (epenthetic vowel) to make pronunciation smoother.

Why is borginni in the dative case, and what does its ending mean?

The preposition yfir expresses location (static position) here, so it governs the dative case. borgin is the definite nominative (“the city”); to get dative definite you change it to borginni (“to/over the city”). The ending -inni combines dative case with definiteness for a feminine noun.

Why is the verb eru used instead of er?

Verbs in Icelandic agree in number with their subjects. skýin is plural, so you need the third-person plural form eru (“are”). The singular counterpart er means “is.”

What does the preposition yfir mean, and how does it affect the noun’s case?

yfir generally means “over” or “above.”

With dative: static location (where something is) → yfir borginni (“over the city”).
With accusative: movement or direction (across/over something) → e.g. flugu skýin yfir borgina (“the clouds flew over the city”).

Can I front the prepositional phrase to say Yfir borginni eru skýin? Is the word order still correct?

Yes. Icelandic follows the V2 (verb-second) rule. If you start with the prepositional phrase yfir borginni, the verb eru must remain in second position, and the subject skýin follows it. The sentence is still grammatical.

How do you pronounce skýin, including the ý and the extra i, and where does the stress fall?

• ý is a long /iː/ sound (like “ee” in “see”).
• sk is aspirated [skʰ].
• The extra i before -in is an epenthetic vowel, so you actually pronounce two syllables: [ˈskʰiː.in].
• Stress always falls on the first syllable: SKEE-in.